2012 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE ECU

328i
328i xDrive 335i
335i xDrive 335isM3Owner's Manual for Vehicle
Congratulations, and than k you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with
enhanced control and security when you drive it. We therefore
have this request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize
yourself with the information that we have compiled for you
before starting off in your new ve hicle. It contains important data
and instructions intended to a ssist you in gaining maximum use
and satisfaction from your BMW' s unique range of technical fea-
tures. The manual also contai ns information on maintenance
designed to enhance operating sa fety and contribute to main-
taining the value of your BMW th roughout an extended service
life.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or a Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
Please also read the other booklets of vehicle literature, e.g. the
Supplementary Owner's Handbook for the BMW M3.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW Group
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

33
Opening and closing
Controls
Indicator lamp on inside mirror
>
The indicator lamp fl ashes continuously:
The system is armed.
> The indicator lamp flashes after locking:
The doors, hood, or trunk lid are not prop-
erly closed, the remaining components are
secured.
Then the indicator lamp flashes continu-
ously after approx. 10 seconds. The interior
motion sensor and tilt sensor are not active.
> The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking:
The vehicle has not been tampered with.
> If the indicator lamp flashes after unlocking
until the remote contro l is inserted in the
ignition, but for no longer than approx.
5minutes:
The vehicle has been tampered with.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm
system reacts, e.g. to attempts to steal a wheel
or tow the vehicle.
Interior motion sensor
Coupe
For proper function, the windows and glass
sunroof must be closed.
Convertible
The interior of the car is monitored up to the
height of the seat cushions. Thus the alarm sys-
tem is activated togeth er with the interior
motion sensor even if the hardtop is open. The
alarm can be triggered un intentionally by falling objects such as leaves, refer to Avoiding unin-
tentional alarms.
Avoiding uninten
tional alarms
The tilt sensor and interior motion sensor can
be deactivated together, for example in the fol-
lowing situations:
> In car washes
> In stacking garages
> During transport on car-carrying trains,
boats/ships or on a trailer
> When leaving animals in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and
interior motion sensor
Once the vehicle is locked, press the
button on the remote control again
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and
the interior motion sensor are switched off until
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort Access
The concept
It is possible to access the vehicle without actu-
ating the remote control. It is sufficient to have
the remote control with you, for example in your
jacket pocket. The vehicle automatically
detects the remote control in the vicinity or in
the passenger compartment.
Comfort Access supports the following func-
tions:
> Unlocking/locking the vehicle
> Convenient closing
> Unlocking the trunk lid separately
> Engine starting
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

54
ControlsTransporting children safely
Keep key pushed in and turn it until reaching the
stop at the position. Pull key out at this stop.
Make sure that the passenger belt is
unlocked; otherwise, the front passenger
may become trapped by the safety belt.<
Installing child restraint
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructio ns when selecting,
installing and using child restraint systems.
Otherwise, the protective effect may be dimin-
ished. <
Standard child restraint systems are designed
to be secured with a lap be lt or with the lap-belt
section of a lap-and-shou lder belt. Incorrectly
or improperly installed child restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always follow the installa tion instructions for
the system with the greatest care.
On the front passenger seat
After installing a child restraint system on
the front passenger seat, make sure that
the front and side airb ags for the front passen-
ger are deactivated; ot herwise, there is an
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy.<
Seat position
Before installing a child restraint system, move
the front passenger seat as far back and up as
possible to obtain the best possible position for
the belt. Do not change the seat position after
this.
Backrest width
The backrest width of the front passenger
seat must be at its widest possible set-
ting. Do not change the setting after installing
the child seat; otherwise, the child seat's stabil-
ity on the front passenger seat is limited. <1.
Adjust the backrest width to its widest set-
ting, refer to page 44.
2. Install the child seat.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger
safety belt can be prev ented from being pulled
out in order to fasten child restraint systems.
To lock the safety belt
1. Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.
2. Pull the belt strap all the way out.
3. Allow the belt strap to retract and pull it taut
against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
To unlock the safety belt
1. Open the belt buckle.
2. Remove the child restraint system.
3. Allow the safety belt st rap to retract all the
way.
LATCH child restraint fixing
system
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
To install and use the LATCH child
restraint system, follow the operating and
safety instructions pr ovided by the manufac-
turer of the system; otherwise, the protective
function of the seat may be compromised. <
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

55
Transporting children safely
Controls
Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors
Mounts for lower LATCH anchors
Before installing the child
seat, pull the belt out
of the area for the child restraint fixing system.
Ensure that both lower LATCH anchors
are correctly engaged and that the child
restraint system is resting firmly against the
backrest; otherwise, the protective function of
the seat may be compromised. <
The mounts for the lower LATCH anchors are
located behind the labe led protective caps.
Installing LATCH child restraint
systems
1Installing child restrain t system, refer to the
system operating instructions.
2 Make sure that both LATCH anchors are
correctly locked in position.
Child restraint system with tether strap
Convertible
For Canadian Customers Only.
The following statement is required by Trans-
port Canada.
This vehicle is not equipped with user-ready
tether anchorages. As such neither a child
restraint system, nor a booster cushion, requir-
ing the use of a tether strap can be properly
secured in the vehicle.
Coupe
Use the tether strap anchors to secure
child restraint systems only; otherwise,
the anchors could be damaged. <
For child restraint system s with tether straps
there are two additional anchors, see arrows.
Placement of the tether strap
Coupe
Make sure the upper retaining strap does
not run over sharp edges and is not
twisted as it passes to the top anchor. Other-
wise, the strap will not pr operly secure the child
restraint system in the event of an accident. <
1 Direction of travel
2 Head restraint
3 Hook for upper retaining strap
4 Anchor
5 Rear window shelf
6 Seat backrest
7 Upper retaining strap of child restraint sys-
tem
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

61
Driving
Controls
R Reverse
Select this only when th
e vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
You can select this in a car wash, for example.
The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are selected automatically.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is lowest when you are driving in posi-
tion D.
Kickdown
Kickdown enables you to achieve maximum
performance.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Move selector lever from position D toward the
left into the M/S shifting slot; the Sport program
is activated. This positi on is recommended for a
performance-oriented driving style.
DS is displayed in the instrument cluster.
To deactivate the spor t program or manual
mode M/S, move the sele ctor lever to the right
into position D.
Shifting gears via the selector lever
Move selector lever from position D toward the
left into the M/S shifting slot: When you press the selector lever forwards or
backwards, the manual
mode is activated and
Steptronic changes gear.
The engaged gear, e.g. M1 is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example,
a downshift that would cause the engine to
overrev will not be executed by the system.
The gear selected is br iefly displayed in the
instrument cluster, follo wed again by the gear
actually in use.
Changing gears using shifting paddles
on steering wheel
The shift paddles allow you to shift gears
quickly since both hand s can remain on the
steering wheel.
> When you use the shift paddles on the
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic
mode, the transmission switches to manual
mode.
> If you do not accelerate or shift gears using
the shift paddles for a certain amount of
time, the transmission switches back to
automatic mode.
If the selector lever is in the M/S gear
plane, manual mode remains active. <
> To upshift, briefly pull the right shift
paddle +.
> To downshift, briefly pull the left shift pad-
dle –.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

62
ControlsDriving
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combination
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example,
a downshift that would cause the engine to
overrev will not be exec uted by the system.
The gear selected is briefly displayed in the
instrument cluster, followed again by the gear
actually in use.
Overriding selector lever lock
Should the selector lever refuse to move out of
position P even though the ignition is switched
on, the brake is depressed and the button on
the selector lever is pre ssed, the selector lever
lock can be overridden:
1. Switch off ignition.
2. Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
3. Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever
until the sleeve is inside out.
4. Using the screwdriver from the onboard
vehicle tool kit, refer to page 208, press the
red lever and with the button pressed,
simultaneously move th e selector lever to
the desired position.
7-gear Spor t automatic
transmission with double
clutch
The concept
The 7-gear Sport automa tic transmission with
double clutch is an automated manual trans-
mission with two clutches and secondary gear sets in which the clutch
ing and shifting is han-
dled by an electrohydraulic system.
With the 7-gear Sport automatic transmission
with double clutch, the gears are shifted without
an interruption in driving power.
You operate the 7-gear Sport automatic trans-
mission with double clutch using the selector
lever and two shift paddles on the steering
wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
> Either manual or au tomatic mode: sequen-
tial mode or drive mode
> Automatic downshifting and protection
against incorrect gear selection, even in
sequential mode
> Acceleration assistan t, Launch Control,
refer to page 66
> Automatic intermediate throttle application
System limitations
The 7-gear Sport automatic transmission with
double clutch has an overheating protection
that protects the clutch from extreme loads.
The indicator lamp lights up in yellow if
the transmission becomes too warm.
Avoid high engine loads and frequent
accelerations from zero. If the transmission is
overheated, the indicator lamp lights up in red
and the power flow to the motor is interrupted. It
is only possible to continue driving once the
transmission has cooled down.
Avoid frequent powerful accelerations from
zero and do not hold the vehicle on inclines by
pressing lightly on the accelerator while letting
the clutch slip, as this may cause the transmis-
sion to overheat.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

63
Driving
Controls
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position and the engaged
gear are displayed, e.g. M4.
Engaging selector lever positions
>
The selector lever can be moved out of
position P only with the engine running:
interlock.
> Before moving the lever away from P or N
with the vehicle statio nary, first depress the
brake; otherwise, the desired shift will not
be executed: shiftlock.
Shifting into N, D, R
Briefly push the selector lever in the desired
direction, overcoming a resistance point if nec-
essary. When shifting out of P or into R, simul-
taneously press the button 1 .
The engaged selector lever position is also dis-
played on the selector lever.
When you release the sele ctor lever, it returns
to its center position.
Shifting into P
Press the button P.
P Park
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
The transmission is shifted into P if, with
the engine running, you open the driver's
doo r, do not have yo ur sa fety belt fastened, and
subsequently actuate neither the brake pedal
nor the accelerator. Befo re leaving the vehicle,
make sure that the au tomatic transmission
selector lever is in the park position. Otherwise,
the vehicle may begin to move. <
The transmission is shifted into P as soon
as you switch off th e engine, unless the
transmission is in N and the remote control is in
the ignition lock, refer to page 205. As soon as
you remove the remote control from the ignition
lock, then the transmission is shifted into P. <
R Reverse
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
You can select this in a car wash, for example.
The vehicle can roll.
After the engine is switched off, the trans-
mission remains in N if you leave the
remote control in the ignition lock. You can use
this function at a car wash, for example, refer to
page 205.<
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

64
ControlsDriving
D Drive mode
In Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted
automatically.
Kickdown
For sudden acceleration maneuvers such as
passing, depress the accelerator past the resis-
tance point. This prov ides maximum accelera-
tion.
Sport program and
manual mode M/S
Push selector lever towa rd the left from the
selector lever position D, the Sport program is
activated. This position is recommended for a
performance-oriented driving style.
The engaged gear, e.g. S1, is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
When you press the selector lever forwards or
backwards, the manual mode is activated and
Steptronic changes gear.
The engaged gear, e.g. M1 is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
In the following situat ions, the 7-gear Sport
automatic transmission with double clutch
does the thinking for you:
> Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for
example, a downshift that could cause the
engine to overrev will not be executed by
the system. >
At a stop, the transmission is automatically
shifted down to the first gear.
> Shortly before the spee d falls below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the transmis-
sion automatically down shifts without your
intervention.
Quick downshifting: even in sequential mode,
you can skip over several gears in order to
achieve an optimum acceleration. To do so,
depress the accelerator past the resistance
point.
To return to automatic mode, push the selector
lever to the right.
Gear shifting
Upshift or downshift usin g the selector lever or
the shift paddles. You do not need to lift your
foot off the accelerator when doing so.
Using the selector lever
> To upshift, pull the sele ctor lever toward the
rear.
> To downshift, push it toward the front.
Using the shift paddl es on the steering
wheel
You can also shift manua lly using two shift pad-
dles on the steering wheel. The shift paddles
allow you to shift gear s quickly since both
hands can remain on the steering wheel.
> When you use the shift paddles on the
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic
mode, the transmission switches to manual
mode.
> If you do not accelerate or shift gears using
the shift paddles for a certain amount of
time, the transmission switches back to
automatic mode if the selector lever is in
position D.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG